What to do when life falls apart...Psalm 107

When life implodes...what can I do?
Psalm 107 answers that 4 times.
The writer sets up some real life situations, for example:

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
These folks faced trouble. Unemployment. Homelessness. Hunger. Thirst. Desperation.
Their answer?? GOD!
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

This refrain is repeated four times, in circumstances of desperation, rebellion, sin, and near-death.  Each time, the answer is the same:

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands asunder.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

The situations are all different--and as many situations as there are, there is still one main answer: GOD.

He is accessible through our prayers. He cares about us:

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

He is always there to listen, whether we are alone in the desert, homeless in the city, hungry, thirsty, filled with rebellion, in trouble because of our own sin or foolishness, in danger because of the troubles life brings--no matter what our circumstances, He is there for us.  He never stops listening, and He will always hear us, even when we have made such a mess of things we hardly know where to start.

Problems?? 

Cry out to the LORD in your trouble, and He will respond to you!

Some blessings from Psalm 103:

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name."
If Psalm 103 is not one of your favorite pieces of literature, it ought to be.  This Psalm details all the blessings that God has in store for you as His child:
He forgives your sins
He heals you
He delivers you from evil (calamity, all kinds of other evil)
He satisfies you with good things
He is kind to you
He is filled with mercy
He has actually removed our sins from us (a conditional promise--if you believe in Him and turn to Him)
He understands our weaknesses
Here it is:

Psalms 103: 
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.